Unity Call Amid Ongoing Violence in Syria's Coastal Provinces

Ahmed al-Shara emphasizes the need for national unity amidst escalating conflict between rival factions.

In a strong call for unity, Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Shara, addressed the nation on Sunday, urging calm following escalating violence in the coastal provinces, where a monitoring group reports that over 1,000 people have been killed in recent confrontations. “We must preserve national unity and civil peace,” Mr. al-Shara stated from a mosque in Damascus, a video of his speech circulated on various online platforms. “We call on Syrians to be reassured because the country has the fundamentals for survival.”

Clashes broke out last week between fighters associated with al-Shara's interim government and those loyal to the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad. Both combatants and numerous civilians have reportedly lost their lives amidst the unrest, highlighting a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, military operations continue in the rural areas of Latakia and Tartus provinces, as government spokesperson Colonel Hassan Abdul Ghani disclosed plans to search for armed factions loyal to the Assad regime. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization tracking the Syrian conflict, has reported that government forces are deploying drones, tanks, and artillery in their retaliatory efforts. In addition, other reports note that government troops are on the hunt for insurgent bases throughout the affected regions.

The fight for dominance is pronounced in the coastal areas—home to the Alawite community that previously held significant power under Assad’s regime. This has raised substantial concerns about a revival of sectarian violence, deepening the already complicated socio-political landscape in Syria. According to the observatory, around 700 civilians are included in the casualty count, with a significant number of deaths attributed to government forces alone. Concurrent findings from the Syrian Network for Human Rights noted approximately 125 civilians were killed, revealing a dire humanitarian situation with no clear demarcation between combatants and innocents.

As the interim government struggles to consolidate authority and navigate the remnants of a fractured nation, the recent turmoil marks a significant challenge following the downfall of the Assad government in December. The situation reflects deep-rooted sectarian divisions that have only widened throughout over a decade of civil strife in Syria.